Railway truck



May 24, 1938. (5, F CQUCH 2,118,537

' RAILWAY TRUCK Filed Dec. 14. 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l I U I I Z yo jgjJG 7; 3 v vuc wto'o May 24, 1938. COUCH 2,118,537

' RAILWAY TRUCK Filed Dec. 14, 1934 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Guam G. F. COUCH May 24, 1938.

RAILWAY TRUC K Filed Dec. 14, 1954 s Sheets-Shee t 5 Patented May 24, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAILWAY TRUCK Application December 14, 1934, Serial No. 757,522

15 Claims.

This invention relates to railway trucks and,

more particularly, to means for holding the brake beams in normal positions, and for supporting such beams upon failure of the usual supporting means.

The principal object of my invention, general- 1y considered, is to provide a safety device adapted to be secured to: the lower spring plate for the bolster springs so; that it may underlie the brake beams to serve as a safety support therefor,or be moved out of the way so as not to interfere with the application or removal of the brake beams, said spring plate also being desirably formedto cooperate with means secured to the brake beams for maintaining them level or in normal operative positions.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a safety device comprising a bar generally rectangular in section, with its intermediate portion secured to a specially formed bolster spring plate and its end portions extending toward the center of the truck to underlie the adjacent portions of brake beams, forthe support thereof in case of failure of the usual supporting means for said beams.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a levelling device for brake beams comprising a spring secured to said beam and normally bearing against the under side of a portion of a frame, spring plate, spring plank, or brake hanger, so as to resiliently act contrary to the moment of the brake beam strut, thereby eliminating tilting of the brake beam by compensating for the tilting effect produced by said strut.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of the inner portion of a railway vehicle side frame, with one embodiment of my invention applied thereto, the associated spring plate being illustrated, and one'brake beam being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view showing my brake beam safety and levelling devices in plan.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a brake beam such as shown in Figure l, employing another form of levelling device embodying my invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan of the brake beam and levelling device shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the brake beam with the levelling device of Figs. 3 and 4 applied thereto.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the spring plate illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, being shown removed from the associated truck parts.

Figure '7 is a front elevational View of the spring plate of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the lines 88 of Figure 6.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, and first considering the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a portion of a railway vehicle or truck side frame I comprising a tension member 2 and bolster guide columns 3, only one of which is illustrated, upstanding therefrom'for spacing intermediate portions thereof from the compression member (not shown). The tension member 2 may comprise flange or shelf portions 4 extending inwardly from the inner face of the inner wall, web or flange 5 of said tension member, and serving to increase the spring supporting area of the frame on which, in the present embodiment, rests a lower spring plate I.

The spring plate I is, in the present embodi- 30 ment, formed with upstanding flanges or ribbing 8 serving to position helical bolster springs (not shown) and other upstanding flanges or lugs 9 serving to position the spring band of an associated elliptic, semi-elliptic or leaf spring (not 35 shown), all of said springs serving for the support of the associated bolster (not shown).

The frame I of the present embodiment is of the general type described and claimed in the Barrows Patent No. 1,652,808, dated December 13, 1927, so that diagonal reinforcing portions 9 are disposed in the lower corners of the bolster opening I0 between the tension member 2 and the guide columns 3, and the spring plate is correspondingly embossed or provided with notches II, leaving clearance for said reinforcements 9'.

The spring plate 1 is formed with an inner depending web or flange portion I2 beyond which extends the upper web or flange portion l3 and the lower flange or lip portion 14. These flange portions and the web If! provide an inwardly opening pocket which normally receives the brake beam safety bar 15, which bar is desirably generally rectangular in cross-section and bent so that its outer end portions underlie associated brake beams IE, only one of which is illustrated, between the brake heads H, the intermediate portion of said bar 15 being curved to correspond with the curvature of the spring plate web l2 and held in position between the flanges l3 and M by a pair of retaining members or pins [8, only one of which is illustrated, passing through registering apertures in the flanges I 3 and M. The lower ends of the pins 18 may extend below the lower flange l4 and be apertured, as indicated at H), to receive cotters or other retaining means (not shown). It will thus be seen that I have provided a simple brake beam safety bar which is readily applied to and detached from an associated spring plate, and when secured to said plate is prevented from undesired movement by having its intermediate portion curved to nest with the correspondingly curved web [2 on the plate. Inasmuch as the bar I5 is only an emergency or safety bar, its upper surface is normally spaced a small distance below the lower surface of the associated brake beam Hi.

In order to compensate for the tilting effect of the brake beam strut (not shown) which spaces intermediate portions of the brake beam tension member 20 and the brake beam compression member 2|, I provide a spring member 23 which may be constructed by taking a flat bar of spring steel and bending it into the form of a narrow U, with a short leg 24 clamped to the brake beam by means of a U-shaped casting 25 embracing a pair of clamping castings 26, said castings and spring member being all secured together, as illustrated, by a bolt 21 passing through registering apertures in the parts and desirably held in place by an associated nut 28 and resilient locking washer 29. The long leg 30 of the spring member 23 extends so as to underlie the end portion of the spring plate flange l3 so as to exert sufficient upward resilient force to balance the brake beam strut and overcome the nor mal tendency of the brake beam to tilt from the desired position illustrated. The end portion of the long leg 30 is desirably bent so as to be convexly curved upwardly where it engages the lower surface of the flange I3 of the spring plate so as to allow for the necessary sliding movement along said flange upon movement of the brake beam. It will be noted that the flange I3 is extended inwardly beyond the portion receiving the securing pins [8 for the special purpose of providing for the necessary bearing area for the spring 23, said extension being desirably reinforced by a rib or flange 3|. It will, therefore, be seen that I have provided for resiliently holding the brake beams in the desired normal position by springs secured to said beams and engaging the underside of a special spring plate. Although I have illustrated the engagement as with a spring plate, it will be understood that, if desired, the engagement may be with a corresponding portion of the frame, or with the under surface of the spring plank, if employed. It will also be understood that although I have shown only one beam, yet the beam at the other side of the window opening l0 may be held in normal position in a similar manner.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, there is shown a brake beam l6 corresponding with the brake beam I6 of the preceding embodiment, and having a brake head I! at each end, only one of which is illustrated. The beam, as is usual, is swung on and supported by brake hangers 32,

the upper ends of which are connected to the frame I in any usual or desired manner. A brake beam safety bar l5 may be employed, as in the preceding embodiment.

In the present embodiment, I provide for resiliently holding the brake beam. in desired position and balancing the leverage of the brake beam strut (not shown) by a spring 23 having a long arm 3t] which engages the brake hanger 32 rather than a spring plate, integral portion of the frame, or spring plank, said spring 23" also differing from that of the first embodiment in that it is coiled around a lug or trunnion portion 33 of a clamping casting 25 which, together with its companion casting 26 is secured to the compression member 2 l of the brake beam l6 by means of a bolt 21 associated nut 28 and lock nut 29.

Undesired displacement of the spring is prevented by the upstanding lug 34 on the casting 25 which limits displacement of the free end of the coil 24 of said spring. The free end of the portion (ill of the spring is desirably bent, as illustrated, to partially surround the engaged limb of the hanger 32 and prevent undesired disengagement. It will be seen that the spring 23 acts in a manner similar to the spring 23 of the preceding embodiment for retaining the brake beam in a level or normal position, except that it engages the brake hanger instead of a portion of the spring plate. For this reason, the spring plate I of the present embodiment need not have its flange or web l3 extended inwardly as far as in the preceding embodiment.

Although preferred embodiments of my invention have been illustrated, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. It will also be understood that I propose to make the truck symmetrical about the center lines designated by the reference character 35.

I claim:-

1. In a railway vehicle, in combination, a side frame with a tension member and abolster opening thereabove, a bolster spring plate casting with a web adapted to support bolster springs mounted on said tension member and provided With a web portion depending therefrom and lying alongside said tension member, said web being extended beyond said depending web portion, a flange extending from the lower part of said depending web portion, a brake beam, a safety bar with a portion received between said web extension and flange, and means intersecting said web extension and flange for securing said bar to said casting, whereby said bar normally underlies the beam.

2. In a railway vehicle, in combination, a side frame comprising a tension member, a removably secured spring plate casting seated on said tension member and comprising normally horizontal flanges extending therefrom, a pair of brake beams, a flat safety bar with a portion received between said flanges and its lower edge engaging the lower flange, and means intersecting said flanges for connecting the bar to the casting, said bar having its end portions beyond said connecting means bent to extend diagonally inward, so that each end portion underlies a brake beam with its upper edge immediately therebeneath.

3. In a railway vehicle, in combination, a side frame, a bolster spring plate casting mounted on said frame and provided with flanges extending therefrom, a brake beam, a safety bar rectangular in section and standing on edge with a portion received between said flanges, and means intersecting said flanges and disposed outwardly of said bar for securing it to said casting, whereby said bar normally underlies the beam.

4. In a railway vehicle, in combination, a side frame comprising a tension member, a spring plate casting resting on said tension member provided with flanges extending therefrom, a pair of brake beams, a safety bar rectangular in section disposed on edge for its entire length, and with an intermediate portion received between said flanges, and means intersecting said flanges and disposed outwardly of said bar for connecting it to the casting, said bar having its end portions beyond said connecting means bent to extend diagonally inward, so that each end portion underlies a brake beam.

5. A spring plate comprising a web adapted to support bolster springs, a web portion depending therefrom and adapted to lie alongside the tension member of an associated side frame, said web being extended beyond said web portion and the lower part of said web portion having a flange underlying said extension.

6. In a railway vehicle, in combination, a brake beam with associated brake heads and hangers, and a spring secured to said beam and engaging one of said hangers to provide a resilient moment acting contrary to that of the brake beam strut.

7. In a railway vehicle, in combination, a brake beam comprising a compression member and a tension member, a levelling device comprising a casting embracing said compression member, a spring secured between one arm of said casting and said compression member, a pair of castings engaging said tension member and disposed between said spring and the other arm of said firstmentioned casting, and a bolt securing all of said castings and said spring in clamping relation with respect to said beam, said spring extending from said beam to resiliently engage another portion of the vehicle for overcoming the tendency of the brake beam to twist from normal position.

8. In a railway vehicle, in combination, a brake beam, hangers supporting said brake beam from said vehicle, and a spring clamped to said beam and having an extension engaging one of said hangers to maintain said beam in normal position.

9. In a railway vehicle, in combination, a side frame having a tension member, a spring plate comprising a web supported on said tension mem-- her and adapted in turn to support bolster springs and a web portion depending therefrom and lying alongside of said tension member, said web being extended beyond said web portion and the lower part of said web portion having a flange underlying said web extension, a brake beam, a safety bar with a portion received between said web extension and flange, means intersecting said extension and flange for securing said bar to said plate, the free end of said bar normally underlying said beam, said beam comprising a compression member and a tension member, a device comprising a casting embracing said beam compression member, a spring secured between one arm of said casting and said beam compression member, a pair of castings engaging said beam tension member and disposed between said spring and the other arm of said first-mentioned casting, and a bolt securing all of said castings and said spring in clamping relation with respect to said beam members, the free end of said spring extending to resiliently engage the undersurface of the spring plate Web extension, and cooperate with the safety bar, in preventing the brake beam from getting away from its normal position.

10. In a railway vehicle, in combination, a brake beam comprising a compression member and a tension member, a leveling device comprising a casting with arms embracing said compression member, a leaf spring with one end portion secured between one arm of said casting and said compression member, a pair of castings with clamping portions engaging said tension member and apertured portions disposed between said spring and the other arm of said first-mentioned casting, and a bolt extending through said apertured portions and corresponding apertures in said spring and the arms of said first-mentioned casting for securing all of said castings and said spring in clamping relation with respect to said beam, said spring having a free end portion extending from said beam to resiliently engage the underside of a shelf outstanding from another portion of said vehicle in order to act against the tendency of the brake beam to twist from normal position.

11. In a railway vehicle, in combination, a brake beam, hangers for supporting said beam from said vehicle, a clamp secured to said beam and provided with a lug and an abutment portion, and a coil spring encircling said lug and with one end engaging said abutment portion, the other end of said spring being extended toward a hanger and curved to partially embrace the same and exert force thereon to maintain said beam in normal position.

12. A spring plate comprising a web adapted to support bolster springs, means connected to said web for positioning said springs, a flange portion depending from said web, said flange being adapted to be positioned adjacent the tension member of an associated side frame, said web extending beyond the flange portion and a horizontal lip formed on the lower part of the flange portion and underlying said extension.

13. A spring plate comprising a web adapted to support bolster springs, means connected to said web for positioning said springs, a flange portion depending from said web, said flange being adapted to be positioned adjacent the tension member of an associated side frame, said web being extended beyond said flange portion and a reinforcing flange connecting an adjacent pair of said spring-positioning means and the intervening portion of said web.

14. In a railway vehicle, in combination, a side frame, a bolster-supporting spring plate removably supported thereon having a web extending beyond the vertical plane of said side frame, a brake beam having a plate spring secured thereto, a portion of said spring slidably engaging the extended portion of the spring plate to urge said beam to normal position.

15. In a railway vehicle, in combination, a spring plate removably secured to said vehicle, a pair of brake beams spaced on either side of said spring plate, a leveling device comprising a plurality of castings and an associated spring clamped to each of said beams by a bolt extending through said castings, said spring having an end portion extending from each beam to resiliently engage another portion of the vehicle, said spring plate having horizontally disposed Webs extending inwardly of the vehicle and a safety bar disposed between said webs extending outwardly of the spring plate to underly said brake beams immediately therebeneath.

GLENN F. COUCH. 

